Also, this first episode can feel more like a teaser than like a meaty chunk of the story. We hardly see George Washington at all; instead, the plot focuses on Connor's effort to drink a tea that gives him wolf powers, and then on Israel Putnam and Benedict Arnold. I really hope the next two installments are bigger in every sense of the word. The ending here doesn't give many hints—as we leave Connor, he's heading to a completely new territory, and anything could happen there.

Meanwhile, as is standard for DLC, the basics haven't changed. The wolf powers are simply integrated into the preexisting control scheme, the graphics still look fantastic, and the voice acting and music are up to the series' standards. Playing on the PC, I didn't notice any obvious lack of polish—Ubisoft treated this release with the care it deserves.

Bottom line: The Tyranny of King Washington's first episode will set you back $10, it lasts only a couple of hours, and it provides an interesting twist on the Assassin's Creed III experience. There are new mechanics and a storyline unlike anything the series has done before—but the game also lacks some basic Assassin's Creed features, most importantly the experience of taking over a gigantic territory. Whether the first episode is a good buy will depend on where the next two go—if this installment sets up a fantastic tale, it's easily worth it, but if the next two sections are similarly slight, it could be a bust.

And so, we wait.

ByRobert VerBruggen
Contributing Writer
Date: February 25, 2013

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.2

GraphicsACIII’s graphics were great, and the DLC continues that trend.

3.8

ControlThe still-somewhat-clunky climbing controls from ACIII return, but there isn’t much climbing here.

4.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice ActingThey’re up to series standards.

3.2

Play ValueThis first episode leaves you with a feeling of “That’s it?”

3.4

Overall Rating - FairNot an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend

0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid

2.5 - 2.9 = Average

3.5 - 3.9 = Good

4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy

2.0 - 2.4 = Poor

3.0 - 3.4 = Fair

4.0 - 4.4 = Great

5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

George Washington, blinded by a thirst for unlimited power, has declared himself king.

Connor awakes in this reality as Ratonhnhaké:ton – never having joined the Assassin order – and accepts a new mission to take Washington down.